Dipstick-less Transmissions

Thomcat · August 22, 2019

.02

Some penny pinching, eco friendly bicycle rider at GM has removed the automatic transmission dipsticks from the '19 truck transmissions. I was waiting for this as soon as they started pulling this crap in their FWD sedans/SUVs.

Now their trucks have adopted the same mantra as their front drive sedans, no dipstick, no filling port, no fluid checks necessary unless you see a leak, and the GM will then get a service visit. Can't leave fluid changes in the hands of a novice, they may dispose of it improperly and kill some fishies or some other lame excuse to tout maintenance free as a guise for saving a few bucks on parts and labor on their bargain priced $50K trucks.

Wasn't too bothered when it disappeared from sedan - but, really? - some clueless designer actually removed it from a truck? Trucks have beds and hitches for hauling heavy crap like towing a boat on mountain roads up and down to the river. Manual gear selection and tranny temp gauges are useful for this purpose, but equally important is the dipstick to check the condition of the fluid. On hot days with a heavy load in cresting hills at max tranny temps it is always a good idea to check the smell and color of the fluid. Fading or disappearance of the red color of the heat sensitive dye in the fluid is cause for immediate concern and a fast fluid change to avert future damage. Now without a dipstick to monitor fluid, you're SOL without raising the vehicle and guessing which tranny bolt will permit access for checking without giving you a Dextron shampoo.

Good move GM. Next to disappear is the engine oil dipstick with drivers being dependent solely upon the OLM and a low oil check light for oil monitoring. Then the ultimate hood welded shut and buy a new one when the engine light comes on.

KARNUT · August 22, 2019

.02
Some penny pinching, eco friendly bicycle rider at GM has removed the automatic transmission dipsticks from the '19 truck transmissions. I was waiting for this as soon as they started pulling this crap in their FWD sedans/SUVs.

Now their trucks have adopted the same mantra as their front drive sedans, no dipstick, no filling port, no fluid checks necessary unless you see a leak, and the GM will then get a service visit. Can't leave fluid changes in the hands of a novice, they may dispose of it improperly and kill some fishies or some other lame excuse to tout maintenance free as a guise for saving a few bucks on parts and labor on their bargain priced $50K trucks.

Wasn't too bothered when it disappeared from sedan - but, really? - some clueless designer actually removed it from a truck? Trucks have beds and hitches for hauling heavy crap like towing a boat on mountain roads up and down to the river. Manual gear selection and tranny temp gauges are useful for this purpose, but equally important is the dipstick to check the condition of the fluid. On hot days with a heavy load in cresting hills at max tranny temps it is always a good idea to check the smell and color of the fluid. Fading or disappearance of the red color of the heat sensitive dye in the fluid is cause for immediate concern and a fast fluid change to avert future damage. Now without a dipstick to monitor fluid, you're SOL without raising the vehicle and guessing which tranny bolt will permit access for checking without giving you a Dextron shampoo.

Good move GM. Next to disappear is the engine oil dipstick with drivers being dependent solely upon the OLM and a low oil check light for oil monitoring. Then the ultimate hood welded shut and buy a new one when the engine light comes on.

It really sucks. A small leak could ruin the transmission because you can’t add fluid to get home. I have a sedan with the lifetime fluid. I ask the service writer about fluid change on the lifetime non fluid change transmission for longevity. He said they recommended every 60K miles. And with a straight face I mite add. Bert Reynolds once said, when someone said when referring to lifetime. Find out who’s. People were wondering what he did with all the trans ams he received. Lifetime fluid could mean of the transmission however sort.

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aseibel · August 22, 2019

How many times a year do you push your transmission to the max, such that you have to inspect the fluid upon coming to a stop? Have your fluid changed every 50k if it bothers you.

If you're this worried about it, then maybe a 2500 would be a better fit for your lifestyle. I'm guessing the vast majority of 1500 owners won't care or even notice.

greatmizzou · August 22, 2019

Oh wow. My briggs and stratton pushmower has one of those "never check, just add" oil systems. Probably not a big deal on a little thing like that, but clearly to me not something expected to last over 5-10 years if its a pain in the a$$ to change the oil.

I would say this isn't a big deal for the leased new half ton market because those owners wont be invested enough to care, but a huge deal for the used market: I want to keep vehicles running well, well past their "lifetime". How many times do little unnoticeable leaks happen? Unless its gushing out, its pretty hard to notice.

However......time to fully admit I very rarely check my tranny dipstick though. Usually checked quarterly when I change oil.

KARNUT · August 22, 2019

I rarely do. It isn’t about that. It’s about the ability to add if you have a leak. I’ve been with my family in the way out. He smells a leak. All he has is a qt of oil. It beat walking.

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Sierra Dan · August 22, 2019

Since you are on the penny pinching topic..... also note that your T1 has a plastic hood release lever.

Was this to save money or weight, or both ? :dunno:

aseibel · August 22, 2019

51 minutes ago, greatmizzou said:

How many times do little unnoticeable leaks happen? Unless its gushing out, its pretty hard to notice.

I just had a transmission oil leak on my grand am 205k miles, first issue with tranny. That car also lacks a dipstick. The oil cooler line was corroded near the radiator. I noticed leak on driveway. Its pretty easy to see leak when you always park in the same spot.

Got it re-filled and new lines for $230. subtracting the lines was about $150 just for the fluid and labor. If I have to do that twice over the life of my truck, I'll get over it.

Sin City Trail Boss · August 22, 2019

My 2019 Tacoma didn't have it either.

diyer2 · August 22, 2019

Brother in laws Mercedes, no trans or oil dipstick.

Jglew82 · August 22, 2019

I worked for Toyota up until 2006, and they released some trannies with that "world standard" lifetime fluid. No dipstick, even back then. This isn't really a new thing.

Grumpy Bear · August 22, 2019

10 minutes ago, Jglew82 said:

I worked for Toyota up until 2006, and they released some trannies with that "world standard" lifetime fluid. No dipstick, even back then. This isn't really a new thing.

Nope, GREED has been with us awhile now.

:crackup:

brianc636 · August 22, 2019

The Honda’s (and Acura’s) I’ve had over the last 10+ years didn’t have one either. The service method was awesome as well.

Pull the drain plug, let 3 quarts drain out (all that comes out) add 3 more in. Drive around for 15 min, do it again until you’ve used a case of fluid.

Works fantastically IMO.

Donstar · August 22, 2019

9 minutes ago, Grumpy Bear said:

Nope, GREED has been with us awhile now.

I never disagree with you Grumpy! I sometimes have a different opinion.... My '56 Austin (teen project car) still had provisions to hand crank the engine. If the electric starter quit, the last thing I'd have considered (even back in the '60's) was to hand crank my car. This for me is comparable to a transmission dipstick. It may be useful to some in rare circumstances, but has long outlasted its usefulness to most vehicle owners.

amxguy1970 · August 22, 2019

It isn't penny punching, it is proper servicing. As these get more and more complicated they are more finicky to the amount of fluid, type and change procedure. Some have lifetime fluids, others have different ways to have it changed per the transmission manufacturer with specific temperatures and operations. It wasn't GM saying, oh, we can save $1.89 per truck by removing the dip stick, it was because they probably had to fight some numb nuts who screwed up the service thinking they knew better and messed it up and tried to warranty it. On top of the intricacies with modern transmissions. Am I happy about it? No. This will probably be one of the last vehicles I can comfortably change everything on fluid wise (I have a K2). Either way, your rant is geared at the wrong crowd...

Tyler